10/22/2013 |
World Series reaching record streak of parityThe 2013 World Series between the Cardinals and Red Sox will crown a 13th straight world champion that is not a repeat winner, one shy of the longest such streak in MLB history, set from 1979-92.

10/22/2013 |
Harvey has successful Tommy John surgeryRight-hander Matt Harvey underwent successful Tommy John surgery on Tuesday to replace the partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, the Mets announced. Harvey is expected to miss the entire 2014 season.

10/22/2013 |
Lackey reclaims No. 2 spot in rotationJohn Lackey's gem in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series has not been forgotten by Red Sox manager John Farrell. The veteran righty will move back to the No. 2 spot in the rotation for the World Series and will pitch on Thursday at Fenway against the Cardinals.

10/22/2013 |
Cards and robbers: Running game in spotlightNobody controls a running game like a Cardinals pitching staff led by Yadier Molina, widely considered the best defensive catcher in baseball. And nobody steals bases as frequently and efficiently as these Red Sox. And therein lies one of the most compelling matchups of this World Series.

10/22/2013 |
Giants reach two-year deal with LincecumIn a surprising move, the Giants agreed with right-hander Tim Lincecum on a two-year contract on Tuesday, preventing the two-time National League Cy Young Award winner from entering free agency.

10/22/2013 |
Matheny, fans feel sting of Boston's '04 Classic sweepThe Cardinals and the Red Sox have met three times in World Series, with the Redbirds holding a 2-1 edge. But it is the one loss, in 2004, that sticks in the memory and, for that matter, stings in the memory, of the Cardinals and their legion of loyal followers.

10/22/2013 |
Rosenthal, Uehara make closing a breezeThe World Series features shutdown closers Trevor Rosenthal of the Cardinals and Koji Uehara of the Red Sox -- neither of whom was the closer on Opening Day.

10/22/2013 |
Adams' bat helps Cards fit in at FenwayBased on Matt Adams' production as a rookie, it's easy to see why guys like Allen Craig and Cardinals manager Mike Matheny are excited about what he could mean against the hitter-heavy Boston Red Sox in the World Series.

10/22/2013 |
Marathon tragedy changed, galvanized Red SoxOver the course of a baseball season, successful teams tend to point to specific games, meetings or acquisitions that define their clubs. These Red Sox are different. This group largely points to April 15, the day two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

10/22/2013 |
Wacha named for Game 2 start at FenwayMichael Wacha, fresh off being named the MVP of the National League Championship Series, has been tabbed the Cardinals' Game 2 starter, manager Mike Matheny announced on Tuesday.

10/22/2013 |
Craig hopes to give Cards boost in the clutchPerhaps the most important element of the Cardinals' offense in the World Series will be whether Allen Craig's so-called clutchness -- be it in the DH slot in Games 1 or 2 or in a pinch-hit capacity back at Busch Stadium -- shows any signs of rust.

10/22/2013 |
Astros finalize coaching staff for '14 seasonThe Astros finalized their field staff for the 2014 season on Tuesday, announcing the additions of Brent Strom as pitching coach, Pat Listach as first-base coach, Craig Bjornson as bullpen coach and Ralph Dickenson as assistant hitting coach. The team also announced that Dave Trembley, who was third-base coach last season, will take over as bench coach.

10/22/2013 |
Wainwright worked hard to find way to Game 1Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright has been hoping for this moment since the day he arrived in Jupiter, Fla., earlier this year and discovered that the zip had returned to his fastball, and the bite to his offspeed stuff. It is with his weapons fully restored that the right-hander will take the mound Wednesday night at Fenway Park in Game 1 for his first career start in the World Series.

10/22/2013 |
McDowell could ride trend to managerial jobIt is far too early to speculate about the potential of Roger McDowell not returning to the Braves next year, but his success as Atlanta's pitching coach makes him a candidate to make the transition from pitching coach to big league manager.

10/22/2013 |
MLB sets charitable lineup for World SeriesMajor League Baseball announced its World Series lineup of community themes on Tuesday, marking the fifth consecutive year it will use its greatest stage as a platform to raise global awareness for important causes and leave a special imprint on two metropolitan areas.

10/22/2013 |
Red Sox exhibiting necessary mojo to win SeriesIf you're looking for the best reason the Red Sox can win this World Series, it's not in the ballpark or the bullpen or any of the numbers. It's that this club, these guys with their beards and their talk of family, has some magic going for it.

10/22/2013 |
Bucs look toward 2014 with flexibility for offseasonIn the language of the offseason, the Bucs are "in control." With only a couple of significant exceptions, the club has a contractual hold over every member of the cast that contributed to a 94-win season.

10/22/2013 |
In the Cards: Series could tip in St. Louis' favorThe Cardinals have the capability to negate the Red Sox's home-field advantage by following and building upon the blueprint the Tigers created. St. Louis can win because it has the arms and bats to tactically neutralize a fellow 97-game winner.

10/22/2013 |
Speedy Johnson hopes AFL stint accelerates progressAfter playing at three levels in 2013, White Sox prospect Micah Johnson is continuing to work on the finer points of stealing bases, not to mention hitting, against more advanced pitching in the Arizona Fall League.

10/22/2013 |
Farrell vies to join small club of former pitchersJohn Farrell has a rare opportunity. If his Red Sox can defeat the Cardinals in a World Series that begins on Wednesday night with Game 1 in Fenway Park at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX, he'd be only the fifth pitcher in Major League Baseball history to manage a team to the title.

10/22/2013 |
Cardinals' run highlights right choice on PujolsWhile it's easy to say the Cardinals' remarkable run of success from 2001-2011 -- a run that included three World Series berths and two titles -- wouldn't have happened without Albert Pujols, it's just as easy to say that this latest late-October endeavor wouldn't have happened with him.